Minnesota hires Western Michigan's P.J. Fleck as coach

After guiding Western Michigan to a 13-1
record this season, P.J. Fleck is leaving the school to become head
coach of Minnesota's reeling football team.

The 36-year-old Fleck will receive a
five-year deal, Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle announced Friday.
The contract is worth $18.5 million, according to the Minneapolis Star
Tribune.

"It is with mixed emotions that I announce my
decision to leave Western Michigan University for the head football
coaching job at the University of Minnesota," Fleck said in a statement
to WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo, Mich. "Although I am grateful for and excited
about this opportunity, this was a very difficult decision to make; one
that involved much introspection and prayer. Heather and I love
Kalamazoo and the Western Michigan University family of staff, students,
alumni and fans. I simply feel called to take on this new challenge and
to start a new chapter in my family's journey. I am proud of what we
have accomplished together in Kalamazoo. I feel we have left WMU
football in a much better place than when we arrived here. That was our
mission. I'll always be your fan and friend."

The hiring of Fleck comes after Coyle fired
head coach Tracy Claeys on Tuesday. The suspension of 10 players in
connection with allegations of sexual assault, as well as the players'
threat to boycott the Holiday Bowl, apparently played a major role in
Claeys' firing.

Claeys became the Gophers' head coach during
the 2015 season, when Jerry Kill resigned for health reasons. Minnesota
went 11-8, including two bowl victories, under Claeys. The nine wins
this season were the most for Minnesota since it won 10 in 2003.

Fleck and former LSU coach Les Miles both interviewed for Minnesota's vacant coaching job this week.

"P.J. is a proven winner and a strong leader.
He's built a unique, positive culture that gets the best out of his
students on the field and in the classroom," Coyle said in a statement.
"His infectious energy and passion make him a terrific coach and dynamic
recruiter. I am excited he will be leading the Gophers for years to
come."

Fleck led Western Michigan to bowl games in
each of the past three seasons. The Broncos were 13-0 in the 2016
regular season before losing in the Cotton Bowl to Wisconsin 24-16.

Fleck, 30-22 in four years at Western Michigan, was a star receiver at Northern Illinois and played briefly in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers. He has been an assistant coach at his alma mater, Ohio State, Rutgers and in 2012 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before being hired at Western Michigan.

"It's an honor to coach at Minnesota and be
part of the Big Ten conference," Fleck said in a statement released
later by Minnesota. "I want to thank president Eric Kaler, athletic
director Mark Coyle and the Board of Regents for this opportunity. I
also want to thank Western Michigan, my players and the great fans and
city of Kalamazoo for a wonderful four years.

"I look forward to meeting my new players and
getting to know them as quickly as possible. I am excited to put
together a staff and turn my efforts to recruiting, but also want Gopher
fans to know that my wife, Heather, and I and our four children will be
visible in the community and we are eager to connect with them."